Calvin–Hope men's basketball rivalry
| Calvin-Hope Rivalry | |
|---|---|
| University | Calvin College vs. Hope College |
| Conference | Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association DIII Division |
The Calvin–Hope rivalry is a college sports rivalry between the Hope College Flying Dutch of Holland, Michigan, and the Calvin College Knights of Grand Rapids, Michigan, which participate at the NCAA Division III level.[1][2]
History
The men's basketball teams first played each other in 1920.[3] Through January 2015, the men's basketball teams have played 189 times, with the Hope Flying Dutchmen leading with 98 wins to the Calvin Knights' 91 wins.[4] The rivalry, which originates from the historical separation of the Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church in North America, operates on a basis of more similarity than difference. Tom Davelaar, assistant coach to Hope's basketball team, once said, "... both schools and fan bases are so alike - and yet we think we're different somehow. We're really just two peas in a pod."[5]
Significance
In 2005, ESPN polled its staff about who they thought were America's greatest college basketball rivalries, and the Calvin–Hope rivalry was voted fourth in all college basketball behind Duke-North Carolina, Tennessee-Connecticut, and Louisville-Kentucky.[6] ESPN also conducted an on-line "fan poll" in which 80% of voters picked the Knights vs. Flying Dutchmen.[7]
The rivalry between the two colleges is most prominent in basketball; however, the rivalry is also seen in sports such as volleyball, soccer, and lacrosse.
References
- ^ Reynolds, Lauren (July 24, 2007). "No hate, just heat in Hope–Calvin rivalry". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
- ^ Behm, Jon (January 22, 2010). "Rivalry 93 years in making". Chimes. Calvin College. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ^ Beardsley, Howie (January 7, 2010). "Calvin men win bragging rights against Hope behind freshman Bryan Powell's 3s". The Grand Rapids Press. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
- ^ Renner, Tom and Jeff Febus (January 31, 2011). "Men's Rivalry: The History". calvinhope.com. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
- ^ Cacciola, Scott. "Rivalry's Edict: Drub Thy Neighbor". Hope vs. Calvin: Rivalry in Michigan runs hot and hotter. The New York Times. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
- ^ Behm, Jon (February 26, 2010). "The Calvin–Hope Rivalry: from obscurity to national limelight". Chimes. Calvin College. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ^ Hope College. "ESPN Say Hope-Calvin Rivalry Among the Best". Hope Today News. Hope College. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
External links
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